NSG 100:

Theoretical Foundations in Nursing

Gien Carlo Rañin, RN, MAN

WHY DID YOU TAKE UP
NURSING?
OBJECTIVES
After 1 hour of lecture, the learners are
expected to:
Describe philosophy of nursing.
1. Illustrate theoretical frameworks in
nursing.
2. Discuss the relationships between
education, research and practice.
THEORY
Organize system of accepted knowledge

composed of:

CONCEPTS, PROPOSITIONS, DEFINITIONS,

ASSUMPTIONS
that explains a set of facts, event or
phenomena
Phenomenon

 Defined as sets of empirical data or

experiences that can be physically observed or
tangible such as crying or grimacing when in
pain. It concerns human responses, senses,
and behaviors.
Phenomenon

In nursing, phenomena can be:

 Clinical or environmental setting of

nursing
 Disease process
 Client’s behavior
 Interventions
 Practices
THEORY
 An organized set of concepts and their
relationships and assumptions that project a
systemic view of phenomena (parker, 2001)

 System of ideas that is proposed to explain a

given phenomenon
( Kozier, 2008)
NURSING
 IS
THE DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF HUMAN
RESPONSES TO ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL
PROBLEMS (ANA)

 ENCOMPASSES AUTONOMOUS AND

COLLABORATIVE CARE OF ALL AGES, FAMILIES,
GROUPS, AND COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, SICK
OR WELL AND IN ALL SETTINGS (ICN)
NURSING
 IS
TO ASSIST CLIENTS IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF ACTIVITIES
CONTIBUTING TO HEALTH, RECOVERY OR
PEACEFUL DEATH, THAT CLIENTS WILL
PERFORM UNAIDED, IF THEY HAD THE
NECESSARY WIL, STRENGTH AND
KNOWLEDGE (HENDERSON)
NURSING
 DYNAMIC DISCIPLINE. IT IS AN ART AND A
SCIENCE OF CARING OF INDIVIDUALS,
FAMILES, GROUPS, AND COMMUNITIES GEARED
TOWARD PROMOTION AND RESTORATION OF
HEALTH, PREVENTION OF ILLNESS,
ALLEAVIATION OF SUFFERING AND ASSISSTING
CLIENTS TO FACE DEATH WITH DIGNITY AND
PEACE (ADPCN)
NURSING THEORY

T
H Describes
ETHEO Explains NURSING
O RY Predicts CARE
R Prescribes
Y
Theoretical Frameworks
 Theoretical Models or Frameworks – highly
established set of concepts that are testable. A
representation of an ideas or knowledge
based on the own understanding or
perception of a researcher on a certain topic,
phenomena or theory. It uses diagram or
narrative form which shows how concepts are
related.
Theoretical Framework by Lydia Hall

The Person
Social Sciences
Therapeutic Use of
Self
“The Core”

The Body The Disease

Natural and Biological Pathological and
Intimate Bodily Care Therapeutic Medical
“The Care” Care
“The Cure”

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 DIAGRAM REPRESENTATION OF
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

DIABETIC DRINKING OF LADY FINGER LOWERED BLOOD

PATIENTS EXTRACT GLUCOSE LEVEL

CHOCOLATE 30 MINUTES LOWERED ANXIETY LEVEL

NLE TAKERS BEFORE THE EXAM

MUSIC THERAPY 30 MINUTES

PERI-OPERATIVE PATIENTS BEFORE SURGERY LOWERED ANXIETY LEVEL

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Importance of Nursing Theory 
Nursing theories are developed to improve the quality of care rendered
by nurses to their clients.

The relationship between nursing theory and nursing research helps in

building nursing knowledge. The more research is conducted, the more
learning is gained as to what extent a given theory can be useful in
providing knowledge that will enhance client’s care.

Nursing practice identifies areas for research, and nursing research

helps solve clinical practice problems. This reciprocal relationship
improves practice and provides new professional knowledge.
NURSING PARADIGMS
 THESEARE THE PATTERNS OR MODELS
USED TO SHOW A CLEAR RELATIONSHIP
AMONG THE EXISTING THEORITICAL
WORKS IN NURSING. ESTABLISHES A
BETTER DIRECTION AND UNDERSTANDING
OF NURSING PROFESSION
METAPARADIGM
 IT
EMBODIES THE KNOWLEDGE BASE, THEORY,
PHILOSPHY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND LITERATURE
IDENTIFIED WITH THE PROFESSION
METAPARADIGM

NURSING

PERSON
HEALTH

ENVIRONMENT
DIFFERENT TYPES OF THEORIES
 1. DESCRIPTIVE / FACTOR-ISOLATING THEORIES

 2. EXPLANATORY / FACTOR RELATING THEORIES

 3. PREDICTIVE / SITUATION-RELATING THEORIES

 4.
PRESCRIPTIVE / SITUATION-PRODUCING
THEORIES
INTERDEPENDENCE OF THEORY, RESEARCH
AND PRACTICE

20
INTERDEPENDENCE OF THEORY, RESEARCH AND
PRACTICE
EDUCATION
 NT used to develop and guide nursing education in

universities and institutions.

 NT used to come up with program objectives, course

objectives, course description and clinical performance

criteria.
 NT prepares students for practice as members of professional

community.
 NT ensures adequate and quality nursing delivery and

improves nursing as a profession.

INTERDEPENDENCE OF THEORY, RESEARCH AND
PRACTICE
RESEARCH
 NT helps identify clinical problems requiring

investigation
 NT assist researchers to gain access to clinical

sites.
 Research collects data and implements
nursing findings.
INTERDEPENDENCE OF THEORY, RESEARCH AND
PRACTICE
RESEARCH (FUTURE DIRECTIONS)

Evidence-based practice as derived from nursing research

and other disciplines increasingly play a key role in how nurses
deliver care. Hospitals and other health care agencies are using
research result not only to develop protocols for delivering care,
but also to formulate and revise clinical policies and procedures
that are implemented at the bedside.
INTERDEPENDENCE OF THEORY, RESEARCH AND
PRACTICE
CLINICAL PRACTICE
 Enriched through NT.
 NT guides in critical thinking and decision-making.
 Nurse will understand the nature of their work.
 NT strengthens professional independence by guiding the

deepest and most important part of their practice.

 NT are critical in assisting nurses to facilitate questions,

reflection, and critical thinking in every aspect of care.

Research

How can you be an agent of change to your

profession?